If you haven’t watched the Miami Heat over the past few years, you’ve missed out on seeing one of the game’s rising stars. After one season at Kentucky, Bam Adebayo made the quick jump to the NBA. And this year, he proved any existing doubters wrong by making it to his first All-Star Game.
Team president Pat Riley made comparisons between him and Dwyane Wade. He calls him “an incredible human being” and drew some similarities between the positive behaviors of the two. For the previous season-and-a-half, the two were teammates, so it isn’t all that shocking.
But that is as high as praise can be. A young man in just his third NBA season, drawing comparisons to the most successful player in the history of a franchise? Bam has all but earned it with his performance in his first full year as a starter.
Eagerly Anticipated
Cavs fans have been waiting eagerly for the debut of Dylan Windler, which never happened this year. The first-round pick out of Belmont was slated to return in the first half of the season, but complications with his left leg put him right back to the sidelines.
He averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds per game at Belmont a year ago as a senior and proved to the world that he can totally dominate. He hit 100 threes and still managed to shoot 43% from the floor. Ian Clark before him starred at Belmont but struggled to adjust in the NBA. He’s hoping to be Belmont’s best.
And when the Cavs do hopefully get him back to begin next year, they’ll have a player ready to go. He says the doctors say he’s four to six weeks away from being healthy enough to play live basketball again. So, soon.
Nuggets Decisions
Over in Denver, there will be some interesting cap decisions to make this summer. Paul Millsap’s three-year, $90 million deal expires, and Jerami Grant is going to decline his player option to try and get a payday. It is unlikely that both of these guys return next year.
Millsap has been oft-injured in his time here but did play an integral role in the team being a single win away from the conference finals last year. Grant added athleticism and positional versatility immediately upon his arrival this year. He was shooting nearly 40% from beyond the arc this season.
Both of these guys play exceptional on the defensive end and can step back and bury the three on the other. But signs would point toward the 26-year-old Grant being the one to stick around. He’ll be able to slide in as a starter, just like he was in Oklahoma City. It worked out well there, and it should here too.
This move is also going to allow Michael Porter Jr. to split his minutes between both forward spots. He showed some serious flashes while he was healthy this season, and his future is going to be bright in Denver.
Led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, the Nuggets are going to be a top team in the conference for the years to come.
100% up to $3,000 Bonus
Bovada is our most recommended ONLINE CASINO and POKER ROOM for US players with excellent deposit options. Get your 100% signup bonus today.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.